For this section I started by downloading iTunes to my school computer. New things do keep one humble, as this took a bit of time. Once I got it downloaded, I started with podcasts to see what I could find for my special needs, early elementary children. I located the Sesame Street section and spent some time looking at podcasts but was not super excited by those offerings. I did find some children's stories that are only auditory that could be useful. I downloaded those to my iTunes as well. Then I went into iTunes U and looked under the Michigan's MI Learning site. Here I found a number of very interesting items that I am going to take advantage of. For example, I found one download that gives a tutorial for using Google in the classroom. In Part 1 of this class I made a google doc that I shared with my colleagues and no one had experience with using google docs and my response was very limited from the staff. Here the outline breaks Google into manageable pieces and this could be shared with staff in a PD setting. The other video resource that I REALLY liked was Real World Story Problems. Our building does a "Find Out Friday" science experience that is broadcast to all the classrooms weekly. Two of our teachers put on an amazing hands on experiment almost every week but (out of the goodness of their hearts) but it has gotten a bit overwhelming with all the other expectations added to our plates this year. I watched a number of these and think they could easily be used at the upper elementary level for alternative and high interest lessons. I decided to share out one of the Real World Story Problems with a few colleagues at lunch one day. I chose the "How Much Shampoo?" podcast. Overall the response was very positive, definitely upper elementary material or lower with a lot of support and manipulatives for grade 2/3. Maybe the younger children could do it as part of a "buddy classroom" activity which is done weekly across the building, with the older children doing the calculation? Overall, the response was very positive including learning HOW to get to all these resources through iTunes. They were excited to see all the options that were out there directly connected to Michigan expectations. For an audio site more at the level I am currently teaching, I really like the PBS Learning Media site. It was easy to maneuver and move around to locate different materials and videos for use in the classroom.. I also added this to my Symbaloo site so I could access it easily. Did I mention that I LOVE symbaloo???? Well, I do! In addition, the PBS site allows me to keep favorites, so it is a win, win! My kids are loving our projector so it's great when I can find different resources to use. http://dptv.pbslearningmedia.org Click to set custom HTML The last section of this Thing is M.O.R.E, Michigan Learns Online ad TWICE. I started with M.O.R.E. and went into the "kids" section. There I looked at the different options and found a few that I could use in my classroom. My favorite site was the World Book of Early Learning. I really like this site because it is not all cartoon based in it's subject matter. The site is broken into read, play, watch and print and do. Here I have an example of a sequencing activity that we could do as a whole class, or I could use it individually. Since there are a great number of activities, I could use this site to modify the materials to meet each of my students individual needs. I have also added this to my Symbaloo page for easy access. http://worldbookonline.com/ewol/home?subacct=O6106#home I did go into CAPspace and register but I need to find out more about how I can do videoconferencing through my tech department. So this is a work in progress. I do have some connections to schools in Mexico and it would be very neat to have the opportunity to connect with classrooms there. Finally, I went to MEL.org and researched special education and essential elements. As is par for my world, every year there are changes to IEP's. Pages change, blocks change, how things need to be worded, which boxes to check, etc. This year our "goals and objectives" need to be aligned with what are now called "Essential Elements". As this affects my work, I took the opportunity to research and read about what is available on this subject. Plus, as this is new to all teachers with cognitively impaired students, I can share this resource with my colleagues who are also trying to keep current on this subject.
1 Comment
2/11/2015 09:59:49 pm
Wow! You did an AMAZING job of exploring the content area resources! Your screenshots of each of your best finds really motivate me to go locate your resources to explore for myself! The links to some of the resources you describe are very helpful. It is wonderful that you found resources that will work for you in your professional role as well as for your students. It is equally wonderful that you also found resources for your colleagues. You are a great example of a teacher leader in action. It's nice to know that you are still updating your Symbaloo. That tells me that it is now a routine part of your professional practice. :)
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AuthorMy name is Deirdre Dannecker. I have been in education since 1981 and have taught K-6 in general education and special education. Presently I run a resource room with K-3 students. I love my job!!!! CategoriesArchives
April 2015
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